Recent Articles in Hatha Yoga

Duration: 1hr 16 minutes

Emphasis:  A repetitive, gentle flow to stretch the whole body.

Props needed: A blanket, blocks or books to sit on and a yoga strap with a loop tied at one end.

Mat direction: Long edge of the mat facing the screen.

Duration: 28 minutes

Emphasis:  Using a yoga strap or tie from a bathrobe you'll bring mobility and flexibility to your shoulder joints in this sequence. After warming up you'll take Wide Leg Forward Bend with your hands behind your back (Prasarita Padottanasana C), using the strap if necessary, and some Warrior 2 (Virabhadrasana II) variations which use the strap to work your shoulders in different ways. Then you'll come down to the floor for Half Dog Pose, also known as Extended Puppy Pose (Uttana Shishosana) with the option to turn it into the backbend Melting Heart Pose (Anahatasana) and Snake Pose (Sarpasana). Finally, you'll take a relaxing, gentle, supported backbend lying on the blocks before Savasana.

Props needed: Two blocks or books, a blanket and a yoga belt or tie from a bathrobe.

Mat direction: Long edge of the mat facing the screen.

Duration: 15 minutes

Emphasis:  In this short practice there's a focus on Bound Angle Pose (Baddha Konasana) to help keep the hip joints mobile and stretch the inner thighs. You'll start with the supine version of the pose (Supta Baddha Konasana), then move through some variations of the seated pose and Star Pose (Tarasana) too.

Props needed: 2 rolled blankets and a brick (or two blocks or a thick book).

Mat direction: Long edge of the mat facing the screen.

Duration: 1 hr 14 minutes

Emphasis:  Recording of a live Zoom class which features a breathing practice, a warm-up sequence, then two sequences which focus on spinal movement - flexion, extension and rotation. We then move to the floor for Half Frog Pose (Ardha Mandukasana) followed by some more twists, and a repetitive seated sequence finishes off our physical work. A lovely long Savasana gives you time to relax and renew.

Props needed: 2 blocks and a blanket.

Mat direction: Short edge of the mat facing the screen.

Duration: 32 minutes.

Emphasis:  Starting with a seated warm up, we'll progress to some standing poses that lead to the standing balance called Eagle Pose (Garudasana). Then we'll come down to the floor and practise a supine variation of Eagle Pose that will strengthen the abdominal muscles too.

Props needed: A blanket to kneel on and lie on if required.

Mat direction: Short edge of the mat facing the screen.

Duration: 29 minutes

Emphasis:  In this class we'll repeat the same stretches kneeling in Thunderbolt Pose (Vajrasana) and Hero Pose (Virasana), sitting cross-legged in Easy Pose (Sukhasana) and with legs extended in Wide Angle Seated Forward Bend. We'll then take some poses for strength and mobility of the hips before lying down to rest in Savasana.

Props needed: 2 blocks and a blanket

Mat direction: Long edge of the mat facing the screen.

Duration: 18 minutes

Emphasis: 5 repetitive sequences taking you through adapted Cat/Cow Pose (Marjaryasana/Bitilasana), Sphynx Pose (Salamba Bhujangasana), variations of Locust Pose (Shalabasana), variations of Camel Pose (Ustrasana) and into Child's Pose (Balasana). This class will bring mobility to your spine as we strengthen and stretch it in gentle forward bends, backbends and twists.

Props needed: A blanket to kneel on if required and you might need blocks for your hands in one of the Camel Pose variations.

Mat direction: You choose - whatever works best for you.

Duration: 18 minutes

Emphasis: If you've been keeping up with your daily exercise you'll need to stretch out the muscles that have been working hard. This class is ideal after a long walk, run or cycle or if you're just feeling a little stiff and want a good stretch. The main focus will be on the legs but we'll also do some poses for the shoulders, arms and the front of the body.

Props needed: A blanket, two blocks and a yoga belt or tie from a bathrobe.

Mat direction: Short edge of the mat facing the screen.

Duration: 26 minutes

Emphasis: In this class we repeat Head To Knee Pose (Janu Sirsasana) a number of times, adding in some twisting variations, before finishing with a short breathing practise and Savasana.

Props needed: A blanket or a block to sit on and a yoga belt, or the tie from a bathrobe, with a loop in it

Mat direction: Short edge of the mat facing the screen.

Duration: 31 minutes

Emphasis: If you're feeling a bit stiff and creaky and that you've spent way too long sitting on the sofa then this sequence to mobilise and free your hips might help. You'll start with some gentle hip circles then move into various Lizard Pose type lunges (Utthan Pristhasana). A long hold in Frog Pose (Mandukasana) and a nice long Savasana will help to release any last tightness and stiffness.  

Props needed: You'll need a blanket for under your knees and two blocks or books to put under your forearms.

Mat direction: Short edge of the mat facing the screen.

Duration: 57 minutes

Emphasis: In this gentle class you'll move your joints from head to toe to help you stay comfortable and mobile.  

Props needed: Folded blanket to kneel and sit on plus some optional essential oil or body lotion to massage your feet with at the end. 

Mat direction: Short edge of the mat facing the screen.

Duration: 35 minutes

Emphasis:  In this sequence we move from Childs Pose (Balasana) to Cow and Cat Pose (Bitilasana and Marjaryasana) and into Crescent Moon Pose (Anjaneyasana). From there, with blocks under the hands we move gently between lunge and half-splits, only going as far at the front leg feels comfortable. In the second sequence we add a little internal and external rotation into the Half-Splits Pose (Ardha Hanumanasana). In the third we add a twist and the fourth takes us into Gate Pose. Stretching your legs regularly is so beneficial for those who do sports or exercise and especially good for those who sit a lot - the lunges help to stretch the front of the hips and thighs too.

Props needed: Blocks to put your hands on and a blanket to kneel on.

Mat direction: Short edge of the mat facing the screen.